H.E. John W. Ashe President of the UN General Assembly United Nations, New York Email: fuller@un.

org Chiangmai, 7 February 2014 Your Excellency, Representatives of Indigenous Peoples from the seven Indigenous regions (Africa, Arctic, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, the Pacific and Russia), and representatives of the Indigenous women and youth caucuses, attending the 8th meeting of the Indigenous Global Coordinating Group (GCG), held in Chiangmai, Thailand, 4th and 7th February 2014 reiterate the global position of Indigenous Peoples as set out the Alta Outcome Document adopted by the global indigenous preparatory conference for the high level plenary meeting of the General Assembly to be known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. The Alta Outcome states: The provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that affirm the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples to participate fully in decision-making that affects us, will continue to guide and frame our work for the high level plenary meeting of the General Assembly to be known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. We further affirm that nothing in this process or its outcomes may be interpreted as diminishing or eliminating any of the rights of Indigenous Peoples contained in the Declaration, or any of the other international standards which protect, defend and uphold the inherent economic, social, cultural, civil, political, educational and spiritual rights of Indigenous Peoples. We reaffirm the peremptory norms of international law, including on equality and non-discrimination, and assert that the realization of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including those affirmed in the Declaration, must be upheld by States, individually and collectively, free from all forms of discrimination including discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age and disability. We also reaffirm that the Declaration must be regarded as the normative framework and basis for the Outcome Document and its full realization. We affirm that the inherent and inalienable right of self determination is preeminent and is a prerequisite for the realization of all rights. The representatives from the seven indigenous regions and the two caucuses gathered in Thailand have considered the following four options, which have been proposed with regard to arrangements for the proceedings related to the outcome document of the high level plenary meeting of the General Assembly to be known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, and the finalization of the organizational arrangements:

1) The President of the General Assembly appoints one Member State and one Indigenous Peoples representative as co-facilitators, on an equal footing; 2) The President of the General Assembly appoints two Member State co-facilitators, and one Indigenous Peoples representative as Advisor, chosen by Indigenous Peoples; 3) The President of the General Assembly appoints two Member States and one Indigenous Peoples representative as co-facilitators, on an equal footing; and 4) The President of the General Assembly does not appoint co-facilitators, but instead personally conducts informal consultations. At his discretion, the President of the General Assembly may call upon a Member State(s) and/or a representative of Indigenous Peoples to conduct the proceedings on his behalf, if and when required. Option 1 Representatives of the seven regions and the two caucuses, gathered in Thailand, urge the President of the General Assembly, and those Member States in opposition to this option, to reconsider their position. This arrangement was tested during the 66th session of the General Assembly, and proved to be a success in the consultations on the modalities resolution (66/296). We refer to our previous letter and the numerous letters sent by Indigenous Peoples and others including the UN mandates. Option 2 The arrangement in option 2 is not acceptable to Indigenous Peoples in the seven regions and the two caucuses, because it fails to uphold Indigenous Peoples right to fully, effectively and equally participate in the decision making process affecting their rights. Option 3 Representatives of the seven regions and the two caucuses, gathered in Thailand, consider the proposed arrangement under option 3 as acceptable, if adjusted, so that there is an equal number of Member State and Indigenous co-facilitators, and without there being any distinction between the facilitators. Option 4 Representatives of the seven regions and the two caucuses, gathered in Thailand, take note of the arrangement proposed under option 4, and view this option as a possible basis for resolving the current impasse in the General Assembly, if the necessary assurances for the full, effective, direct and equal participation of Indigenous Peoples, including Indigenous Peoples participation in the consultations and consent on the outcome document and organizational matters, beyond the involvement of an indigenous assistant to the President of the General Assembly. We reiterate that resolution 66/296 requests the President of the General Assembly to carry out consultations with Member States and Indigenous Peoples, on the outcome document and the remaining organizational matters. In order to ensure the full, effective, direct and equal participation of Indigenous Peoples it is of fundamental importance that the President of the General Assembly call upon one Member State and one representative of Indigenous Peoples, chosen by Indigenous Peoples, on an equal footing, to assist him and to conduct the proceedings on his behalf.

Moreover, we reiterate that resolution 66/296 encourages the continued active engagement of Indigenous Peoples in the preparations of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, including at the global level (PP8), as well as at the Conference itself (OP3h), and emphasizes that resolution 66/296 requires that the process for the discussions on the outcome document be inclusive (OP12). Therefore, it is of vital importance, that the United Nations makes the necessary arrangements for Indigenous Peoples participation in the consultations on the outcome document, and the remaining organizational matters, in conformity with the provisions of the modalities resolution (OP3h). Furthermore, Indigenous representatives gathered in Thailand, strongly urge that any decision by the President of the General Assembly reiterates and respects the agreement reflected in OP 9 and 10 of resolution 66/296, by which the President of the General Assembly is requested to prepare an actionoriented draft outcome document, on the basis of consultations with Member States and Indigenous Peoples, and by taking into account the views emerging from the preparatory process and the interactive hearing referred to in OP 7 of resolution 66/296, with the aim of preparing a text contributing to the realization of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, pursue the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and promote the achievement of all internationally agreed development goals. Finally, we would like to draw your attention to OP 12 of resolution 66/296, in which the President of the General Assembly, in consultation with Member States and Indigenous Peoples, is requested to finalize the organizational arrangements for the World Conference, including the definition of the specific themes for the round-table discussions and the interactive panel discussions and the possible inclusion of an opening ceremony involving Indigenous Peoples. Moreover, that the President of the General Assembly is requested to designate representatives of Indigenous Peoples as co-chairs, alongside Member State designated co-chairs, for the round-table discussions and the interactive panel discussion, as well as designate three representatives of Indigenous Peoples, proposed by Indigenous Peoples, as speakers at the opening session of the high level plenary session; in accordance to operative paragraph 3 (b) and (c) of resolution 66/296. In conclusion, Indigenous representatives of each of the seven regions and the two caucuses, attending the meeting in Thailand, reserve the right of the two caucuses, and the right of Indigenous Peoples in their respective regions, to independently make decisions and take action consistent with their collective positions on this matter, including disengagement or withdrawal from the process if any arrangement fails to meet the minimum standards set out above. We look forward to continue dialogue on a possible solution, which is also acceptable to Indigenous Peoples with Your Excellency and Member States and urge you to allocate sufficient time to resolve this matter. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration. [Signed by GCG co-chairs or alternatively signed by regional representatives]